ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Nanoscale 'stealth' probe slides into cell walls seamlessly, say engineers
• Drug that extends life span prevents Alzheimer's deficits
• Acupuncture may be an effective treatment for post-viral infection loss of smell
• Slimming soybeans are on the horizon
• Biologists discover an on/off button on plants' alarm system
• For dual-income husbands and wives, it's still a man's world
• Aging gene found to govern lifespan, immunity and resilience
• Mapping heart disease: Researchers uncover genes that may dramatically affect heart health
• Melamine in milk: Tiny gold particles help researchers find protein impostor
• Scientists find bacterium can halt dengue virus transmission
• Paintable electronics? NIST studies spray-on manufacturing of transistors
• Self-esteem declines sharply among older adults while middle-aged are most confident
• Now in Broadband: Acoustic Imaging of the Ocean
• Researchers explain repeated infection by some viruses
• Researchers sequence DNA of peach tree
• Synergy between two types of de-worming drugs found promising in a lab test
• Smoke alarms + sprinklers + closed doors = lives saved in dorm fires
• Follow the leader: How those in charge make themselves known
• Colony of young stars shines in new Spitzer image
• Improved device provides more rapid, comprehensive analysis of circulating tumor cells
• Wandering albatross: Is foraging efficiency a key parameter in aging?
• Living donor exchange poses new option for liver transplantation
• New tool for RNA silencing
• In the face of racism, distress depends on one's coping method
• Smoking is dumb: Young men who smoke have lower IQs, study finds
• Antiepileptic drug phenytoin as a mood stabilizer?
• Boosting endangered freshwater mussels population
• Sleep apnea linked to hard-to-diagnose eye disorders
• Using computational chemistry to create 'designer molecules' for industry
• Many factors contribute to adolescents' decision-making autonomy
• Ocean acidification: 'Evil twin' threatens world's oceans, scientists warn
• Promising drug for inflammation
• Bacon or bagels? Higher fat at breakfast may be healthier than you think
• New models for optimizing mission control of unmanned aerial vehicles
• Chinese wolfberries may improve vision imperfections caused by type-2 diabetes
• Meta-cognitive therapy more effective for adult ADHD patients
• Drug reduces risk of prostate cancer diagnosis in high-risk men
• Exploration in toddlers activated by fathers
• Common copy number variations unlikely to contribute significantly toward common diseases
• Power of plants harnessed to fight hemophilia
• Green food choice may not be so green
• New path to solar energy via solid-state photovoltaics
• Treatment resistance in some cancer cells may be reversible
• Toads' earthquake exodus
• Advances reported in quest for drugs targeting childhood cancer
• What if all software was open source? A code to unlock the desktop
• Stone Age Scandinavians unable to digest milk, study shows

Nanoscale 'stealth' probe slides into cell walls seamlessly, say engineers Posted: 02 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Engineers have created a nanoscale probe they can implant in a cell wall without damaging the wall. The probe could allow researchers to listen in on electrical signals within the cell. That could lead to a better understanding of how cells communicate or how a cell responds to medication. The probe could also provide a better way of attaching neural prosthetics and with modification, might be an avenue for inserting medication inside a cell.

Drug that extends life span prevents Alzheimer's deficits Posted: 02 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT A new report provides more evidence that rapamycin, which has been shown to extend life span in mice, also can improve learning and memory in mice engineered to develop Alzheimer's disease.

Acupuncture may be an effective treatment for post-viral infection loss of smell Posted: 02 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Traditional Chinese acupuncture, where very thin needles are used to stimulate specific points in the body to elicit beneficial therapeutic responses, may be an effective treatment option for patients who suffer from persistent post- viral olfactory dysfunction, according to new research.

Slimming soybeans are on the horizon Posted: 02 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT If you're serious about losing weight, consider soybeans. New research provides insight into the way a certain type of soy protein inhibits fat accumulation and reduces inflammation.

Biologists discover an on/off button on plants' alarm system Posted: 02 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Scientists have discovered how plants turn their defense mechanisms on and off. The system is apparently controlled by a key protein that the researchers have named "NINJA." The discovery offers possibilities for increasing the yield of therapeutic substances from plants.

For dual-income husbands and wives, it's still a man's world Posted: 02 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT New research demonstrates that hard-working women in dual-earner couples are at a distinct disadvantage to their male peers. These women are expected to do more housework and caregiving, making them much more likely to quit their jobs.

Aging gene found to govern lifespan, immunity and resilience Posted: 02 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Scientists have discovered that a gene called DAF-16 is strongly involved in determining the rate of aging and average lifespan of the laboratory worm Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) and its close evolutionary cousins. DAF-16 is found in many other animals, including humans. It is possible that this knowledge could open up new avenues for altering aging, immunity and resistance to stresses in humans.

Mapping heart disease: Researchers uncover genes that may dramatically affect heart health Posted: 02 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Studying Drosophila (fruit flies), an international team investigated 7,061 genes and built a detailed map that shows how a portion of these genes contribute to heart function and disease. Importantly, the researchers identified many genes that had not previously been associated with heart disease.

Melamine in milk: Tiny gold particles help researchers find protein impostor Posted: 02 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Researchers have developed a fast, economical and easy method to detect melamine in milk, using gold nanoparticles.

Scientists find bacterium can halt dengue virus transmission Posted: 02 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Dengue fever -- caused by a virus transmitted by mosquitoes -- threatens 2.5 billion people each year and there is no vaccine or treatment. Entomologists have found that a bacterium can stop dengue viruses from replicating in the mosquitoes.

Paintable electronics? NIST studies spray-on manufacturing of transistors Posted: 02 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT A multidisciplinary research team at NIST has found that an organic semiconductor may be a viable candidate for creating large-area electronics, such as solar cells and displays that can be sprayed onto a surface as easily as paint.

Self-esteem declines sharply among older adults while middle-aged are most confident Posted: 02 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Self-esteem rises steadily as people age but starts declining around the time of retirement, according to a longitudinal study of men and women ranging in age from 25 to 104.

Now in Broadband: Acoustic Imaging of the Ocean Posted: 02 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Researchers have developed two advanced broadband acoustic systems that they believe could represent the acoustic equivalent of the leap from black-and-white television to high-definition color TV. For oceanographers, this could mean a major upgrade in their ability to count and classify fish and to pinpoint tiny zooplankton amid seas of turbulence.

Researchers explain repeated infection by some viruses Posted: 02 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT New research explains how a virus that has already infected up to 80 percent of the American population can repeatedly re-infect individuals despite the presence of a strong and long-lasting immune response. The results of this study primarily illustrate the significant barriers to creating a vaccine that will prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. This research also explains why CMV might be a useful viral vaccine vector.

Researchers sequence DNA of peach tree Posted: 02 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT As peach trees go, it doesn't look much different than its kin at the Clemson University Musser Fruit Research Farm, but appearances can be deceiving. This one, a Lovell variety, has a unique genetic characteristic that made it a standout in the orchard. Its DNA -- its genetic set of instructions for living -- has been sequenced by scientists, enabling further research to identify beneficial traits to grow better trees and fruit.

Synergy between two types of de-worming drugs found promising in a lab test Posted: 02 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Combining two types of anti-worm treatments that work in different ways could head off the development of drug resistance and save money by allowing lower doses of both drugs to be used.

Smoke alarms + sprinklers + closed doors = lives saved in dorm fires Posted: 02 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Experimenting on a university dormitory that was scheduled to be torn down, fire researchers have demonstrated that the correct combination of automatic fire sprinkler systems, smoke alarms and closed doors provided enough time and safe conditions for residents to escape safely and for fire fighters to perform their job without undue hazard.

Follow the leader: How those in charge make themselves known Posted: 02 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Do you find yourself leading groups, or are you naturally more comfortable following others? New research shows that if you want to be a leader you're better off at the edges of a crowd, and not in the middle of the action.

Colony of young stars shines in new Spitzer image Posted: 02 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Astronomers have their eyes on a hot group of young stars, watching their every move like the paparazzi. A new infrared image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope shows the bustling star-making colony of the Orion nebula, situated in the hunter's sword of the famous constellation. Like Hollywood starlets, the cosmic orbs don't always shine their brightest, but vary over time. Spitzer is watching the stellar show, helping scientists learn more about why the stars change, and to what degree planet formation might play a role.

Improved device provides more rapid, comprehensive analysis of circulating tumor cells Posted: 02 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Technical improvements to a microchip-based device for detecting and analyzing tumor cells in the bloodstream are revealing cellular differences that may reflect a tumor's aggressiveness and long-term response to treatment.

Wandering albatross: Is foraging efficiency a key parameter in aging? Posted: 02 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT The male wandering albatross, which can live more than 50 years, modifies its foraging behavior with age. Researchers in France have, for the first time, shown such changes by studying aging in these birds under natural conditions. The scientists have discovered that old males forage in different waters from younger males, and are less active at the sea surface. However, none of the classic markers of human aging are altered in old albatrosses, which underlines the importance of taking account of foraging efficiency in studies on aging.

Living donor exchange poses new option for liver transplantation Posted: 02 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Two major transplant centers in Hong Kong and South Korea released results from their paired donor exchange programs for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). A single paired exchange, performed by the Hong Kong team under emergency circumstances, was a success. The Korean team reported 16 donor exchanges conducted over a 6-year period were successful.

New tool for RNA silencing Posted: 02 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Antisense reagents have been developed for C. Elegans micro RNA. Researchers have created the first class of reagents to potently and selectively inhibit miRNAs in this widely used model organism.

In the face of racism, distress depends on one's coping method Posted: 02 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT The way people choose to cope with personal experiences of racism influences the distress caused by the encounter, according to a new study of Filipino-American men and women. The study finds that denying or ignoring racial discrimination leads to greater psychological distress, including anxiety and depression, and lowers self-esteem.

Smoking is dumb: Young men who smoke have lower IQs, study finds Posted: 01 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT A new study has determined that young men who smoke are likely to have lower IQs than their nonsmoking peers.

Antiepileptic drug phenytoin as a mood stabilizer? Posted: 01 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Phenytoin is a well known antiepileptic agent widely used throughout the world. In a new study, researchers utilized DNA microarrays to investigate the molecular underpinnings of the potential mood-stabilizing action of phenytoin by looking at its effect on gene expression in the rat brain.

Boosting endangered freshwater mussels population Posted: 01 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT The endangered freshwater mussel species has been given a welcome boost following a 12 year cultivation project. Over 300 of the mussels, which are threatened in many parts of Europe and North America, have been released back into the wild at a range of secret locations in Northern Ireland.

Sleep apnea linked to hard-to-diagnose eye disorders Posted: 01 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT A British study finds that the condition known as floppy eyelid syndrome (FES) is strongly associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), implying that when doctors see FES in a patient, they should also look for OSA, and vice-versa. The study describes factors shared by OSA and FES and specific findings on how FES develops that will help doctors better diagnose and treat patients.

Using computational chemistry to create 'designer molecules' for industry Posted: 01 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT A new company established by UK researchers will give manufacturers the chance to use computational chemistry to create "designer molecules" for the first time in an industrial setting.

Many factors contribute to adolescents' decision-making autonomy Posted: 01 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Decision-making within families is an important way for young people to gain independence and responsibility, and adolescence is a time of increasing autonomy. A longitudinal study concludes that teens have more say in certain areas than in others, and that some teens have more autonomy than others.

Ocean acidification: 'Evil twin' threatens world's oceans, scientists warn Posted: 01 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT The rise in human emissions of carbon dioxide is driving fundamental and dangerous changes in the chemistry and ecosystems of the world's oceans, marine scientists warn. "Ocean conditions are already more extreme than those experienced by marine organisms and ecosystems for millions of years," the researchers say.

Promising drug for inflammation Posted: 01 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT NSAIDs remain the most common treatment to relieve symptoms of arthritis and other inflammatory disorders, but these medications are also known to cause severe, sometimes life-threatening adverse effects within the body, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract.

Bacon or bagels? Higher fat at breakfast may be healthier than you think Posted: 01 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT According to a new study mice fed a meal higher in fat after waking had normal metabolic profiles. In contrast, mice that ate a more carbohydrate-rich diet in the morning and consumed a high-fat meal at the end of the day saw increased weight gain, adiposity, glucose intolerance and other markers of the metabolic syndrome.

New models for optimizing mission control of unmanned aerial vehicles Posted: 01 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT Engineers are working on a theoretical approach to improve automated mission control and decision-making for fleets of unmanned aerial vehicles.

Chinese wolfberries may improve vision imperfections caused by type-2 diabetes Posted: 01 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT Researchers are exploring the use of Chinese wolfberries to improve vision deficiencies that are common for type-2 diabetics. Wolfberries may lower the oxidative stress that the eye undergoes as a result of type-2 diabetes.

Meta-cognitive therapy more effective for adult ADHD patients Posted: 01 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT Researchers have learned that meta-cognitive therapy (MCT), a method of skills teaching by use of cognitive-behavioral principles, yielded significantly greater improvements in symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults than those that participate in supportive therapy.

Drug reduces risk of prostate cancer diagnosis in high-risk men Posted: 01 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT A drug already prescribed to shrink benign, enlarged prostates has been shown to reduce the risk of a prostate cancer diagnosis by 23 percent in men with an increased risk of the disease, a large international trial has found. The four-year study found that dutasteride (Avodart) significantly reduced the chances that men would be diagnosed with the kinds of tumors that are most often treated excessively.

Exploration in toddlers activated by fathers Posted: 01 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT A new study has found that fathers give toddlers more leeway and that allows them to actively explore their environments, according to a new study on parent-child attachment.

Common copy number variations unlikely to contribute significantly toward common diseases Posted: 01 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT A study of the genetics of common diseases including diabetes, heart disease and bipolar disorder has found that commonly occurring copy number variations -- duplicated or missing chunks of DNA in our genome -- are unlikely to play a major role in such diseases.

Power of plants harnessed to fight hemophilia Posted: 01 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT Researchers have devised a way that potentially could help patients develop tolerance to the therapeutic protein needed to treat hemophilia. They genetically modified plants to encapsulate the tolerance-inducing protein within cell walls. The system is now being tested in mice and could help improve the lives of many people who have hemophilia.

Green food choice may not be so green Posted: 01 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT If everyone became vegan and so ate only fruit and vegetables, then the reduction in greenhouse emissions for the whole of food consumption would be a mere 7%. The widespread adoption of vegetarianism would have even less impact, while organic food production actually leads to a net increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Those are the conclusions of a research paper published in the journal Progress in Industrial Ecology.

New path to solar energy via solid-state photovoltaics Posted: 01 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Researchers have found a new mechanism by which the photovoltaic effect can take place in semiconductor thin-films. This new path to energy production brightens the future for photovoltaic technology by overcoming voltage limitations that plague conventional solid-state solar cells.

Treatment resistance in some cancer cells may be reversible Posted: 01 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT The ability of cancer cells to resist treatment with either targeted drug therapies or traditional chemotherapy may, in some cases, result from a transient state of reversible drug "tolerance."

Toads' earthquake exodus Posted: 01 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Common toads (Bufo bufo) can detect impending seismic activity and alter their behavior from breeding to evacuation mode, suggests a new study.

Advances reported in quest for drugs targeting childhood cancer Posted: 01 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Investigators believe they have identified the founding member of a chemical family they hope will lead to a new class of cancer drugs, the first designed specifically against a childhood tumor.

What if all software was open source? A code to unlock the desktop Posted: 01 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT A new system makes it possible to add custom features to Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop, Apple iTunes or any other program. Custom computing would particularly benefit people with disabilities.

Stone Age Scandinavians unable to digest milk, study shows Posted: 01 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT The hunter-gatherers who inhabited the southern coast of Scandinavia 4,000 years ago were lactose intolerant, according to a new study carried out by researchers in Sweden. The study supports the researchers' earlier conclusion that today's Scandinavians are not descended from the Stone Age people in question but from a group that arrived later.

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ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Ashes to ashes, dust to dust: Space telescopes image remains of collapsed star
• Chemical exposure before mid-30s may be critical in breast cancer development
• Leonardo Da Vinci's 'The Last Supper' reveals more secrets
• Autism susceptibility genes identified
• Evidence-based medicine theory can be applied to frequent flying
• 'Third gender' identified in close relative of olive tree
• Dinosaur skull changed shape during growth
• Scientists find therapeutic target to stop cancer metastases
• Giggles give clues to hyena's social status
• Drug breakthrough in fight against African sleeping sickness
• Grand unified theory of AI: New approach unites two prevailing but often opposed strains in artificial-intelligence research
• Psychologists search for secret of happiness at work
• Carbon nanostructures: Elixir or poison?
• Stem cell therapy to tackle HIV
• Fabled 'vegetable lamb' plant contains potential treatment for osteoporosis
• Small molecules have big impact for TB bacteria
• Anti-counterfeit drugs with help of RFID
• Children use space to think about time
• Why Earth wasn't one big ball of ice 4 billion years ago when Sun's radiation was weaker
• How breast cancer cells evade therapeutic attacks
• Proteins in unroasted coffee beans may become next-generation insecticides
• Warning over wave of child eye injuries from liquid detergent capsules
• Census data aid disease simulation studies
• The 'blues' can surprise even adoptive parents
• Impaired brain connections traced to schizophrenia mutation; Like patients, engineered mice falter at working memory tasks
• New brain nerve cells key to stress resilience
• Computer model predicts shifts in carbon absorption by forest canopies
• Study of popular anemia drug supports new guidelines for its use in dialysis patients
• Improving fuel economy of tractor-trailers, buses, work trucks
• Crack and cocaine use a significant HIV risk factor for teens
• Tweet: Scientists decode songbird's genome
• Personalizing medicine to prevent pandemics
• Extracting information from starlight
• Obesity, hypertension, alcohol and diuretic use: Gout risk factors for women
• A portable security risk
• Experts call to end secrecy surrounding approval of new drugs
• Astronomers see historical supernova from a new angle
• Disruption in brain connection linked to genetic defect in schizophrenia
• Tattletale pills: Engineers design pill that signals it has been swallowed
• Chymase inhibitors could enhance treatment for damaged hearts, study suggests
• Radon in residential buildings: A risk factor for lung cancer
• Armed with information, people make poor choices, study finds
• Toward making the blind see: Gene therapy restores vision in mice
• Brain estrogen shows promise as schizophrenia treatment
• From a classical laser to a 'quantum laser'
• Pacemaker in stomach helps against vomiting
• Adapting to change? Remember the good, forget the bad!
• Will genetics ever have the promised impact on medical practice?

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust: Space telescopes image remains of collapsed star Posted: 01 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT A new image from NASA's Chandra and Spitzer space telescopes shows the dusty remains of a collapsed star. The dust is flying past and engulfing a nearby family of stars.

Chemical exposure before mid-30s may be critical in breast cancer development Posted: 01 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Occupational exposure to certain chemicals and pollutants before a woman reaches her mid-30s could treble her risk of developing cancer after the menopause, suggests new research.

Leonardo Da Vinci's 'The Last Supper' reveals more secrets Posted: 01 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT "The Last Supper" -- relentlessly studied, scrutinized, satirized and one the world's most famous paintings -- is still revealing secrets. Researchers have now found new meaning to the food depicted by Leonardo Da Vinci's famous artwork.

Autism susceptibility genes identified Posted: 01 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Two genes have been associated with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) in a new study of 661 families. Researchers found that variations in the genes for two brain proteins, LRRN3 and LRRTM3, were significantly associated with susceptibility to ASD.

Evidence-based medicine theory can be applied to frequent flying Posted: 01 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT A professor has developed a revolutionary theory of Evidence-Based Flying, based on the well-established concept of Evidence-Based Medicine. His theory shows how number needed to fly before a delay (NNF) and number needed to upgrade (NNU) can be combined with other variables to inform wise flying decisions. Initial data shows that departure delays ranged from 20-30%, with NNF ranging from 10 to 31 flights when compared with the top performing airline.

'Third gender' identified in close relative of olive tree Posted: 01 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT A hitherto unknown reproductive system in a species closely related to the olive tree, Phillyrea angustifolia L., has been discovered. This new reproductive mode explains the mystery of the high frequencies (up to 50%) of male individuals co-occurring with hermaphrodite individuals in this species.

Dinosaur skull changed shape during growth Posted: 01 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT The skull of a juvenile sauropod dinosaur, rediscovered in museum collections, illustrates that some sauropod species went through drastic changes in skull shape during normal growth.

Scientists find therapeutic target to stop cancer metastases Posted: 01 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Scientists have uncovered what could be a very important clue in answering one of the most perplexing questions about cancer: why does it spread to the liver more than any other organ? In a new research report, scientists from New York University describe experimental results suggesting that the immune system may be the reason.

Giggles give clues to hyena's social status Posted: 01 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT The giggle call of the spotted hyena tells other hyenas not only the age and identity of the animal, but also its social status, according to a new study.

Drug breakthrough in fight against African sleeping sickness Posted: 01 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Scientists have made a major breakthrough in identifying new treatments for a fatal disease which infects tens of thousands of Africans each year. Their findings describe a new approach to tackling the fatal parasitic disease human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), commonly known as sleeping sickness due to disturbance of the sleep cycle caused by parasites infecting the brain.

Grand unified theory of AI: New approach unites two prevailing but often opposed strains in artificial-intelligence research Posted: 01 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT In the 1950s and '60s, artificial-intelligence researchers saw themselves as trying to uncover the rules of thought. But those rules turned out to be way more complicated than anyone had imagined. Since then, artificial-intelligence (AI) research has come to rely, instead, on probabilities -- statistical patterns that computers can learn from large sets of training data. The probabilistic approach has been responsible for most of the recent progress in artificial intelligence, such as voice recognition systems, or the system that recommends movies to Netflix subscribers. But MIT research scientist Noah Goodman thinks that AI gave up too much when it gave up rules. By combining the old rule-based systems with insights from the new probabilistic systems, Goodman has found a way to model thought that could have broad implications for both AI and cognitive science.

Psychologists search for secret of happiness at work Posted: 01 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT People who are unhappy in life are unlikely to find satisfaction at work, according to a new study.

Carbon nanostructures: Elixir or poison? Posted: 01 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Researchers have documented potential cellular damage from "fullerenes" -- soccer-ball-shaped, cage-like molecules composed of 60 carbon atoms. The team also noted that this particular type of damage might hold hope for treatment of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease or even cancer.

Stem cell therapy to tackle HIV Posted: 01 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT A novel stem cell therapy that arms the immune system with an intrinsic defense against HIV could be a powerful strategy to tackle the disease. The new approach could dramatically improve the quality of life and life expectancy for HIV sufferers in whom antiviral drugs are no longer effective.

Fabled 'vegetable lamb' plant contains potential treatment for osteoporosis Posted: 01 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT The "vegetable lamb" plant -- once believed to bear fruit that ripened into a living baby sheep -- produces substances that show promise in laboratory experiments as new treatments for osteoporosis, the bone-thinning disease.

Small molecules have big impact for TB bacteria Posted: 01 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Mycobacterium tuberculosis possesses extraordinary survival ability by masking itself from the host immune system and persisting for decades inside the host. Recent research provides further insight into how the bacterium causes tuberculosis by fine-tuning its behavior in response to its surroundings to escape detection.

Anti-counterfeit drugs with help of RFID Posted: 01 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT A detailed product proof and improved security against counterfeiting pharmaceutical products become more and more important, especially nowadays when customers can order their drugs online. The legislative pressure increases primarily for reasons of patient safety, incorrect medications, and drug counterfeiting. These issues can be prohibited by absolute traceability of the drug's packaging. Modern identification procedures such as RFID (radio frequency identification) are able to provide transparency in the pharmaceutical logistics. However, the metal packaging, like blister or tubes, that is often used complicate the identification. Scientists of the Institute of Mechanical Handling and Logistics (IFT) at the University of Stuttgart explore opportunities for a practicable and entirely detectable identification within the research project "RadioPharm".

Children use space to think about time Posted: 01 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Space and time are intertwined in our thoughts, as they are in the physical world. For centuries, philosophers have debated exactly how these dimensions are related in the human mind. According to a new paper, children's ability to understand time is inseparable from their understanding of space.

Why Earth wasn't one big ball of ice 4 billion years ago when Sun's radiation was weaker Posted: 01 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Scientists have solved one of the great mysteries of our geological past: Why Earth's surface was not one big lump of ice four billion years ago when the Sun's radiation was much weaker than today. Scientists have presumed that Earth's atmosphere back then consisted of 30 percent CO2 trapping heat like a greenhouse. However, new research shows that the reason for Earth not going into a deep freeze at the time was quite different.

How breast cancer cells evade therapeutic attacks Posted: 01 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Understanding the mechanisms involved in the appearance of resistance of breast cancer cells to tamoxifen is essential to develop new therapeutic approaches. A new study reveals how cancer cells become impervious to the drug by activating a specific biochemical cascade.

Proteins in unroasted coffee beans may become next-generation insecticides Posted: 01 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Scientists in Brazil are reporting for the first time that coffee beans contain proteins that can kill insects and might be developed into new insecticides for protecting food crops against destructive pests. Their study suggests a new use for one of the most important tropical crops in the world.

Warning over wave of child eye injuries from liquid detergent capsules Posted: 01 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Senior eye doctors are warning people to keep liquid capsules for fabric detergents out of the reach of children after a wave of eye injuries in young children at their hospital.

Census data aid disease simulation studies Posted: 01 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Over the last four years, researchers have been transforming data from the 2000 census -- which described the country's 281 million people and 116 million households -- into a virtual US population. They finished the "synthetic population" last year, and they plan to update it when the 2010 census results come out.

The 'blues' can surprise even adoptive parents Posted: 01 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT The unmet or unrealistic expectations adoptive parents often have is a recurring theme in postadoption depression, according to new research.

Impaired brain connections traced to schizophrenia mutation; Like patients, engineered mice falter at working memory tasks Posted: 31 Mar 2010 11:00 PM PDT The strongest known recurrent genetic cause of schizophrenia impairs communications between the brain's decision-making and memory hubs, resulting in working memory deficits, a study in mice has found. The new animal model shows how genetics affects brain circuitry, at the level of single neurons, to produce a core feature of the disorder.

New brain nerve cells key to stress resilience Posted: 31 Mar 2010 11:00 PM PDT Researchers have found new clues that might help explain why some people are more susceptible to stress than others.

Computer model predicts shifts in carbon absorption by forest canopies Posted: 31 Mar 2010 11:00 PM PDT An agricultural scientist participated in a project to fine-tune computer models that can indicate when forest "carbon sinks" become net carbon generators instead.

Study of popular anemia drug supports new guidelines for its use in dialysis patients Posted: 31 Mar 2010 11:00 PM PDT A new study helps dispel mounting confusion over the safety of blockbuster anemia drugs -- erythropoiesis-stimulating agents -- for people with kidney disease requiring dialysis, as federal regulators prepare to decide whether to impose additional restrictions on their use.

Improving fuel economy of tractor-trailers, buses, work trucks Posted: 31 Mar 2010 11:00 PM PDT A new congressionally mandated report evaluates various technologies and methods that could improve the fuel economy of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, such as tractor-trailers, transit buses, and work trucks. The report also recommends approaches that federal agencies could use to regulate these vehicles' fuel consumption. Currently there are no fuel consumption standards for such vehicles, which account for about 26 percent of the transportation fuel used in the US.

Crack and cocaine use a significant HIV risk factor for teens Posted: 31 Mar 2010 11:00 PM PDT Teens with a history of crack or cocaine use are significantly more likely to engage in unprotected sex than youth who have never used these drugs, putting themselves at increased risk for HIV, according to a new study.

Tweet: Scientists decode songbird's genome Posted: 31 Mar 2010 08:00 PM PDT An international team of scientists has decoded the genome of a songbird -- the Australian zebra finch -- to reveal intriguing clues about the genetic basis and evolution of vocal learning. The research provides insights to help scientists understand how humans learn language.

Personalizing medicine to prevent pandemics Posted: 31 Mar 2010 08:00 PM PDT What makes some viral infections fatal and others much less severe is largely a mystery. It is thought that a part of the variability can be attributed to differences in how individuals respond to infection. Researchers now describe how computer modeling could be a powerful tool to allow treatments to be tailored to individuals. This approach could ultimately prevent future pandemics.

Extracting information from starlight Posted: 31 Mar 2010 08:00 PM PDT The light of stars is produced by atoms and molecules that encode, in the starlight itself, key science information about their chemical composition, temperature, pressure, and velocity. To receive and extract this information, astronomers will use the James Webb Space Telescope and a first-of-its kind science instrument whose prototype has just arrived at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. from its manufacturer in Germany.

Obesity, hypertension, alcohol and diuretic use: Gout risk factors for women Posted: 31 Mar 2010 08:00 PM PDT A new study is the first to examine the relationship between uric acid levels and gout risk in women, also evaluated purported risk factors for gout and found that increasing age, obesity, hypertension, alcohol use and diuretic use to be among leading contributors for women.

A portable security risk Posted: 31 Mar 2010 08:00 PM PDT Computer scientists in the UK warn that the spread of portable storage devices, such as smart phones, media players, and USB flash drives is a major threat to business. In a new article, they outline possible ways to address the portable security risk.

Experts call to end secrecy surrounding approval of new drugs Posted: 31 Mar 2010 08:00 PM PDT Changes are urgently needed to end the secrecy surrounding approval of new drugs in Europe, argue experts.

Astronomers see historical supernova from a new angle Posted: 31 Mar 2010 05:00 PM PDT Our telescopes show the Milky Way galaxy only as it appears from one vantage point: our solar system. Now, using a simple but powerful technique, astronomers have seen an exploding star or supernova from several angles.

Disruption in brain connection linked to genetic defect in schizophrenia Posted: 31 Mar 2010 05:00 PM PDT In what may provide the most compelling evidence to date, researchers have illuminated how a genetic variant may lead to schizophrenia by causing a disruption in communication between the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex regions of the brain, areas believed to be responsible for carrying out working memory.

Tattletale pills: Engineers design pill that signals it has been swallowed Posted: 31 Mar 2010 05:00 PM PDT Call them tattletale pills. Seeking a way to confirm that patients have taken their medication, engineering researchers have added a tiny microchip and digestible antenna to a standard pill capsule. The prototype is intended to pave the way for mass-produced pills that, when ingested, automatically alert doctors, loved ones or scientists working with patients in clinical drug trials.

Chymase inhibitors could enhance treatment for damaged hearts, study suggests Posted: 31 Mar 2010 05:00 PM PDT Millions of patients with high blood pressure and heart failure take a class of drugs known as ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors. These drugs prevent the body from processing angiotensin II, a hormone that constricts blood vessels. Scientists have shown that another enzyme present in the heart called chymase is also capable of processing angiotensin II. Adding drugs that interfere with chymase to ACE inhibitors significantly boosted recovery of heart function in animals after heart attack, the researchers found.

Radon in residential buildings: A risk factor for lung cancer Posted: 31 Mar 2010 05:00 PM PDT About 1900 deaths from lung cancer per year in Germany are due to radon within residential buildings, according to new research.

Armed with information, people make poor choices, study finds Posted: 31 Mar 2010 05:00 PM PDT When faced with a choice that could yield either short-term satisfaction or longer-term benefits, people with complete information about the options generally go for the quick reward, according to new research.

Toward making the blind see: Gene therapy restores vision in mice Posted: 31 Mar 2010 02:00 PM PDT Scientists made a huge step toward making the blind see, and they did it by using a form of gene therapy that does not involve the use of modified viruses. Scientists used a non-viral, synthetic nanoparticle carrier to improve and save the sight of mice with retinitis pigmentosa.

Brain estrogen shows promise as schizophrenia treatment Posted: 31 Mar 2010 02:00 PM PDT An estrogenic drug that influences neurotransmitter and neuronal systems in the brain is showing promise as an effective therapy for women who suffer from schizophrenia.

From a classical laser to a 'quantum laser' Posted: 31 Mar 2010 02:00 PM PDT Researchers in Austria have successfully realized a single-atom laser, which shows the properties of a classical laser as well as quantum mechanical properties of the atom-photon interaction.

Pacemaker in stomach helps against vomiting Posted: 31 Mar 2010 02:00 PM PDT People with severe stomach disorders can sometimes suffer from chronic vomiting. This symptom can be treated with electrical impulses from a pacemaker in the stomach. A new method enables patients who could benefit from this treatment to be identified, and electrical stimulation leads to reduced nausea and fewer days in hospital, shows a study from Sweden.

Adapting to change? Remember the good, forget the bad! Posted: 31 Mar 2010 02:00 PM PDT It's not easy being a bacterium and constantly having to adapt to whatever your environment throws at you. Bacteria rely on their "memories" to fine-tune their ability to sense food and danger.

Will genetics ever have the promised impact on medical practice? Posted: 31 Mar 2010 02:00 PM PDT Since the discovery of gene sequencing in the late 1970s, it was predicted that genetics would revolutionize medicine and provide answers to the causes of many of our common killers. But has genetic research delivered its promise?

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